The U.S. is considering putting armed military personnel on commercial ships under constant threat by Iran as they transit the Strait of Hormuz. Officials are offering few details but the planning coincides with the impending arrival of thousands of Marines and Navy personnel in the region. [node:read-more:link]
A Russian court today convicted imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny of extremism and sentenced him to 19 years atop a nine-year term he’s already serving on charges he says were politically motivated. Almost all key opponents of President Vladimir Putin are in prison or self-imposed exile and Navalny had said he was expecting a “long Stalinist sentence.” [node:read-more:link]
As expected, former U.S. President Donald Trump pled not guilty today in a Washington courtroom to four charges of conspiring to remain in office despite losing the 2020 presidential election. [node:read-more:link]
The federal government’s secrecy about its contracting processes is said to undermine public trust and makes it harder for innovative companies to compete. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says companies seeking to do business with government need to know “that decisions are being made without bias, undue influence or, in the worst cases, malfeasance” and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation calls for full disclosure of contract details. [node:read-more:link]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, announced today that they have decided to separate after 18 years of marriage. “As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build,” they wrote on media. [node:read-more:link]
Former U.S. President Donald has been charged with four criminal offences by Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has been investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020. The 45-page indictment released August 1 alleges a broad conspiracy to keep the Republican leader in power after he lost the presidency to Democrat challenger Joe Biden. [node:read-more:link]
Two Michigan allies of Donald Trump have been charged in connection with attempting to tamper with the state’s voting machines after the 2020 presidential election. Lawyer Matthew DePerno and former state representative Daire Rendon, the latest of nine persons identified with the alleged plot, are charged with conspiracy. [node:read-more:link]
The not-for-profit corporation that oversees Canada’s air traffic control, has launched a new social media account to track and publicize the causes of delays at four major Canadian airports. A post-pandemic shortage of controllers is blamed for some delays but Nav Canada says its “new communication protocol” should “ensure air passengers have access to accurate and timely information.” [node:read-more:link]
Three years after the Auditor-General said the Canada Border Services Agency did not adequately deal with workplace harassment, discrimination and violence, one of the agency’s veteran dog-handlers has gone public with ongoing issues. [node:read-more:link]
Environment and climate change ministers from Canada and the other members of the G-20 group ended their latest summit July 28 without an agreement or joint statement despite calls for a united front. Their countries emit some 80% of global greenhouse gases. [node:read-more:link]
Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan has directed the Canada Industrial Labour Relations Board to determine whether striking B.C. port workers’ rejection of a mediated contract offer has “eliminated the possibility of a negotiated resolution.” The on-and-off-again strike by 7,400 workers has stalled cargo movements in 30 ports, including Vancouver, the country’s largest. [node:read-more:link]
Less than seven months after his appointment, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been replaced by veteran Communist Party foreign affairs chief Wang Yi. The 57-year-old Qin had vanished from public view a month ago and the decision to replace him, signed by the man who appointed him, Leader Xi Jinping, was not explained. [node:read-more:link]
An independent inquiry into Canada’s Covid-19 response is being recommended in a series of papers published in the British Medical Journal. Written by its international editor, they are based on input from Canadian healthcare providers and researchers as well as legal and humanitarian specialists. One contributor in Toronto called it “the start of preparing for the next emergency.” [node:read-more:link]
The right-leaning Israeli coalition government’s ramrodded legislation to curb Supreme Court jurisdiction took place against a backdrop of widespread protests and now the leadership is concern about the role of military reservists. More 11,000 have threatened to end their voluntary service and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is seeking consensus to ensure the military is “separate from political discourse.” [node:read-more:link]
Two days ahead of an expected federal cabinet shuffle, four ministers confirmed July 24 that they would be stepping down. They include Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Public Services & Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett, all from Toronto ridings, and Fisheries & Oceans Minister Joyce Murray of Vancouver, who also is responsible for the Canadian Coast Guard. [node:read-more:link]
